Scorcher (character)

For other uses, see Scorcher (disambiguation).

This article is about the Marvel Comics characters. For DC Comics characters, see Scorcher (DC Comics).

The Scorcher is the name of two fictional characters appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

The Steven Hudak incarnation of Scorcher first appeared in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1 (September 1995), and was created by Kurt Busiek and Pat Olliffe.

The Sarah Garza incarnation of Scorcher first appeared in Secret Avengers vol. 2 #10 (October 2013), and was created by Ed Brisson and Luke Ross.

Fictional character biography

Steven Hudak

Steven Hudak
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1 (September 1995)
Created by	Kurt Busiek Pat Olliffe
In-story information
Alter ego	Steven Hudak
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Masters of Evil Sinister Sixteen
Abilities	Insulated battlesuit grants: Flamethrowers Protection from heat, flame and physical injuries Flight via jet pack

Steven Hudak was a research chemist who was wrongfully accused of embezzlement by his employer. Swearing revenge, he created an armored suit containing flame-throwing equipment and took the name of "The Scorcher" when he attacked his former place of employment. He ran afoul of the original Spider-Man on one of the latter's first outings, and being defeated by the hero, he was sent to prison. Later, it was revealed that Hudak was not working alone but was an agent of Norman Osborn. Hudak eventually escaped prison to pursue an arson career but was defeated by Spider-Man a second time.^[1]

Sarah Garza

Sarah Garza
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Secret Avengers vol. 2 #10 (October 2013)
Created by	Ed Brisson Luke Ross
In-story information
Alter ego	Sarah Garza
Species	Inhuman
Team affiliations	Secret Avengers
Notable aliases	Iron Patriot
Abilities	Plasma energy generation Insulated battlesuit grants: Protection from physical injuries Ability to regulate and project her energy

Sarah Garza is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. from Park Slope, Brooklyn and one of the many latent Inhumans whose powers were activated by Black Bolt's Terrigen Mist bomb. She is a rookie member of the black ops superhero team, the Secret Avengers, and uses her abilities against Thanos's forces as well as the Junkman's technopathic abilities. She resigns after seeing how violent her abilities are in combat, and is placed in confinement until she learns to control her powers and return to her old job as a technician.^[2][3] Garza is later seen alongside fellow Inhumans Daisy Johnson and Synapse.^[4]

Powers and abilities

Steven Hudak's suit was inspired by his flame-throwing equipment, which allows him to produce large quantities of fire under his control. His Scorcher costume protects him against heat and flame, and other injuries. Later, he added a jet pack to his armor, enabling him to fly and hover in place.

Sarah Garza can generate plasma energy, but cannot naturally control the direction of release and must use a suit of armor to do so.

In other media

• The Steven Hudak incarnation of Scorcher appears as a mini-boss in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, voiced by Keith Ferguson.^[5]
• The Sarah Garza incarnation of Scorcher appears in Marvel's Avengers, voiced by Anna Graves.^[6]